Medical forceps with vessel transection capability

ABSTRACT

A surgical device includes a forceps and a blade. The forceps includes a first working jaw and a second working jaw. The blade extends along a longitudinal axis and includes a notched section. The blade is located between the first working jaw and the second working jaw. A first therapy current can be connected to the first working jaw, the second working jaw, or both so that tissue gripped between the first working jaw and the second working jaw and within the notched section can be coagulated. While the tissue is gripped between the first working jaw and the second working jaw, the blade is moveable along its longitudinal axis so that the tissue is cut with the notched section without repositioning the first working jaw, the second working jaw, or both.

FIELD

The present teachings relate to medical forceps, and more particularlyto medical forceps for clamping, coagulating, and transecting a vesselor tissue.

BACKGROUND

Generally, medical forceps are plier-like devices that include opposingjaws for clamping, manipulating, and/or pulling a vessel or tissueduring a surgical procedure. One or both of the opposing jaws can alsobe provided with electrosurgical energy (i.e., a therapy current) sothat the vessel or tissue can be cauterized or coagulated while clampedbetween the jaws. More specifically, monopolar forceps utilize oneactive electrode and a remote patient return pad that is attachedexternally to the patient. When the electrosurgical energy is applied,the energy travels from the active electrode to the vessel or tissue tocauterized or coagulate the vessel or tissue, through the patient, andto the return pad. Bipolar forceps utilize two opposing electrodes, eachof which are charged to a different electric potential. Because a vesselor tissue is a conductor of electrical energy, when the opposing jawsgrasp the vessel or tissue, the electrical energy is transferred throughthe vessel or tissue to cauterized or coagulate the vessel or tissue.

Some surgical procedures also require the vessel or tissue to be cut,transected, cauterized, or coagulated with a blade. For this, generally,an ancillary medical device or blade may be required. However, anancillary blade may undesirably require additional space at the surgicalsite to store the ancillary device. Moreover, using an ancillary blademay undesirably require additional hand movements by the surgeonperforming the procedure (i.e., to pick up the device, use the device,and put the device back down), and may undesirably add additional timeto the medical procedure.

Some examples of medical forceps can be found in U.S. Pat. No.5,445,638, 7,232,440, and 8,568,410, all of which are incorporated byreference herein in their entirety for all purposes. It would bedesirable to have a combination medical device for cauterizing orcoagulating a vessel or tissue and then subsequently cutting the vesselor tissue. It would be desirable to have a medical device capable ofclamping a vessel or tissue, subsequently cauterizing or coagulating thevessel or tissue, and then cutting the vessel or tissue with a singledevice without repositioning or reconfiguring the device. It would bedesirable to have a medical device capable of clamping a vessel ortissue, subsequently cauterizing or coagulating vessel or tissue, andthen cutting the vessel or tissue with a blade member by moving theblade relative to the medical device in a proximal direction, a distaldirection, or both. It would be desirable to have a medical deviceincluding a pair of clamping jaws and a blade that can be rotatedbetween to the jaws. It would be desirable to have a medical devicewhere surgeons can more readily and more easily produce consistent, highquality transections while limiting movement of the blade and/or thejaws. It would be attractive to have a medical device including forcepsand an electrode that extends beyond a distal end of the grippingassembly in a neutral or steady state. It would be attractive to have amedical device including forceps and an electrode that further extendsbeyond a distal end of the gripping assembly or retracts to cut a vesselor tissue. What is needed is a medical device including forceps and ablade that is also an electrode or includes a separate electrode member.

SUMMARY

The present teachings meet one or more of these needs by providing adevice, a surgical device, or an electrosurgical device comprisingforceps and a blade. The forceps includes a first working jaw and asecond working jaw. The blade extends along a longitudinal axis andincludes a notched section. The blade is located between the firstworking jaw and the second working jaw. A first therapy current isconnected to the first working jaw, the second working jaw, or both sothat tissue gripped between the first working jaw and the second workingjaw and within the notched section can be coagulated. While the tissueis gripped between the first working jaw and the second working jaw, theblade is moveable along its longitudinal axis so that the tissue is cutwith the notched section without repositioning the first working jaw,the second working jaw, or both.

The present teachings also provide an electrosurgical device comprisingforceps including a first working jaw, a second working jaw, and a bladeelectrode located between the first working jaw and the second workingjaw. The blade electrode includes a notched section having a proximaledge, a distal edge and a receiving region therebetween. The firstworking arm, the second working arm, or both are connected to a firsttherapy current so that during an application of the first therapycurrent, tissue located within the receiving region and gripped betweenthe first working jaw and the second working jaw is coagulated. Theblade electrode is moveable so that the tissue located within thereceiving region of the notched section is cut with either the proximaledge or the distal edge without repositioning the forceps. The bladeelectrode is connected to a second therapy current so that during anapplication of the second therapy current, the blade electrode functionsas an electrosurgical blade when at least a portion of the bladeelectrode extends beyond a distal end of the forceps.

The present teachings further provide a method, comprising providing anelectrosurgical device including forceps having a first working jaw anda second working jaw. The method includes a step of providing a blademember between the first working jaw and the second working jaw, theblade member extending along a longitudinal axis and including a notchedsection having a proximal edge and a distal edge with a receiving regiontherebetween. The method includes a step of providing a first therapycurrent to the first working jaw, the second working jaw, or both; andplacing tissue between the first working jaw and the second working jaw.The method includes a step of positioning the tissue within thereceiving region; gripping the tissue between the first working jaw andthe second working jaw and coagulating the tissue therebetween; andmoving the blade member while the tissue is gripped withoutrepositioning the forceps so that the tissue is transected with thenotched section.

Further yet, the present teachings provide a medical device that solvedall of the aforementioned problems and deficiencies. The presentteachings provide a combination medical device for cauterizing orcoagulating a vessel or tissue and then subsequently cutting the vesselor tissue. The present teachings provide a medical device capable ofclamping a vessel or tissue, subsequently cauterizing or coagulating thevessel or tissue, and then cutting the vessel or tissue with a singledevice without repositioning or reconfiguring the device. The presentteachings provide a medical device capable of clamping a vessel ortissue, subsequently cauterizing or coagulating vessel or tissue, andthen cutting the vessel or tissue with a blade member by moving theblade relative to the medical device in a proximal direction, a distaldirection, or both. The present teachings provide a medical deviceincluding a pair of clamping jaws and a blade that can be rotatedbetween to the jaws. The present teachings provide a medical devicewhere surgeons can more readily and more easily produce consistent, highquality transections while limiting movement of the blade and/or thejaws. The present teachings provide a medical device including forcepsand an electrode that extends beyond a distal end of the grippingassembly in a neutral or steady state. The present teachings provide anelectrode that further extends beyond a distal end of the grippingassembly or retracts to cut a vessel or tissue. The present teachingsprovide a medical device including forceps and a blade that is also anelectrode or includes a separate electrode member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of the forceps according to theteachings herein;

FIG. 2A is a partial perspective view of the blade according to theteachings herein;

FIG. 2B is a partial perspective view of the blade according to theteachings herein;

FIG. 2C is a partial perspective view of the blade according to theteachings herein;

FIG. 2D is a partial perspective view of the blade according to theteachings herein;

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of the forceps according to theteachings herein;

FIG. 4 is an end view of the forceps according to the teachings herein;

FIG. 5A is a side view of the forceps with the jaw members in an openposition;

FIG. 5B is a side view of the forceps with the jaw members in the closedposition;

FIG. 5C is a side view of the forceps with the blade moved in the firstdirection; and

FIG. 5D is a side view of the forceps with the blade moved in the seconddirection.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This Application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.62/136,758 filed on Mar. 23, 2015, the entirety of which is herebyincorporated by reference herein for all purposes. The explanations andillustrations presented herein are intended to acquaint others skilledin the art with the teachings, its principles, and its practicalapplication. Those skilled in the art may adapt and apply the teachingsin its numerous forms, as may be best suited to the requirements of aparticular use. Accordingly, the specific embodiments of the presentteachings as set forth are not intended as being exhaustive or limitingof the teachings. The scope of the teachings should, therefore, bedetermined not with reference to the description herein, but shouldinstead be determined with reference to the appended claims, along withthe full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. Thedisclosures of all articles and references, including patentapplications and publications, are incorporated by reference for allpurposes. Other combinations are also possible as will be gleaned fromthe following claims, which are also hereby incorporated by referenceinto this written description.

The present teachings relate to and provide a forceps device. Theforceps may function to grip an object. Preferably, the forceps may be amedical device or instrument used during surgery to grip an item orfeature of interest, such as a part of a body, an anatomical feature,tissue, veins, arteries, or a combination thereof. The forceps may beused in surgery, for example in laparoscopic surgery. The forceps may beused with or without power. That is, current or electrosurgical energycan be passed through the forceps so that the forceps can be used forelectrosurgery. For example, a therapy current may be passed from afirst jaw member to a second jaw member (or vice versa) while a vesselor tissue is located between the jaw members so that the therapy currentcan coagulate blood, cauterize tissue, transect tissue, or a combinationthereof (i.e., bipolar configuration). Alternatively, or in addition to,a therapy current can be passed from one of the jaw members to a remoteelectrode (e.g., a return pad) while a vessel tissue is located betweenthe jaw members so that the therapy current can coagulate blood,cauterize tissue, transect tissue, or a combination thereof (i.e.,monopolar configuration).

The forceps may generally include one or more working assemblies andsufficient controls and/or mechanisms for using, controlling, and/oractuating the one or more working assemblies. The forceps may generallyinclude a gripping assembly for gripping, holding, manipulating,pulling, coagulating, cauterizing, cutting, or a combination thereof afeature of interest. The forceps may generally include a cuttingassembly for gripping, holding, manipulating, coagulating, cauterizing,cutting, or a combination thereof a feature of interest. The forceps mayinclude all of the parts needed to adequately, effectively, andefficiently perform the recited functions of the working assemblies. Theforceps may include the parts needed to move the gripping assemblybetween an open position and a closed or clamped position. The forcepsmay include the parts needed to move the blade cutting assembly so thattissue gripped or clamped between the jaw members can be cut,transected, cauterized, coagulated, and/or sealed. The forceps mayinclude the parts necessary for the gripping assembly, the blade, theseparate blade electrode, or a combination thereof to function as one ormore electrosurgical devices. Generally, the forceps may include astylet (e.g., a tubular member, a hollow tube, or an assembly of tubes),a hand piece, one or more operable mechanisms used to actuate thestylet, and a means (i.e., a cord) for connecting the forceps to asource of electrosurgical energy (i.e., a generator, a battery powereddevice, or both) so that the forceps can function as electrosurgicalforceps. Further details of the forceps and the working assemblies andmechanisms of the forceps can be found herein and in in U.S. PatentPublication Number 2014/0276795 A1 filed Mar. 12, 2014; U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/484,341 filed on Sep. 12, 2014; and U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/484,404 also filed on Sep. 12, 2014, all threeof which are incorporated in their entirety herein.

The hand piece may function to form, create, or provide an enclosingstructure for the forceps of the present teachings. The hand piece mayfunction to form, create, or provide a gripping portion for the user tohandle, manipulate, and/or use the forceps. The hand piece may be anydevice that houses the working assemblies, components, and/or partsrequired for the forceps and the working assemblies to function. Thehand piece may assist in performing laparoscopic surgery. The hand piecemay be ergonomically shaped. The ergonomic shape of the hand piece maybe any shape so that the forceps may be used ambidextrously. Theergonomic shape of the hand piece may be any shape such that all of thecontrols and mechanisms for using the forceps can be accessed by asingle hand gripping the hand piece.

The gripping assembly may function to create and/or maintain a grippingforce; grip a feature of interest; or both. The gripping assembly may beany part or combination of parts that may be actuated and used during amedical procedure to grip one or more features of interest, like avessel, tissue, vein, artery, or a combination thereof. The grippingassembly may function to create a sufficient gripping force so that oneor more features of interest can be gripped, manipulated, pulled,secured, cauterized, coagulated, or a combination thereof withouttearing, ripping, and/or otherwise damaging the one or more features ofinterest. The gripping assembly may function to create a sufficientgripping force so that one or more features of interest can be grippedwithout damaging the one or more features of interest so that the jawsdo not touch one another and cause an electrical fault and/or a shortcircuit. The gripping assembly may be actuated between a closed,clamping, or gripping position, and an open position via one or morelevers, triggers, knobs, buttons, wheels, the like, or a combinationthereof located on the hand piece, the forceps, or both. The grippingassembly may be actuated via one or more controls and/or mechanisms. Thegripping assembly may be actuated so that one or more parts move, close,pivot, clamp, or a combination into a closed, clamping, or grippingposition to create a gripping force. The gripping assembly may beactuated by retracting or moving the two or more opposing jaws (i.e.,the upper jaw and the lower jaw) proximally into the one or more tubularmembers so that the two opposing jaws are biased towards one another andclose into the gripping position to create a gripping force. In theclosed or gripping position, the gripping portion of the opposing jawmembers may be in contact, or may be in a slight spaced relationrelative to one another. The gripping assembly may be actuated byextending or moving the two opposing jaws (i.e., the upper jaw and thelower jaw) distally out of or away from the one or tubular members sothat the two opposing jaws move or pivot away from one another into theopen position to release the gripping force. In the open position, thejaw members may be in spaced relation to one another so that an item orfeature of interest can be placed between the jaw members or removedfrom between the jaw members. The gripping assembly may be rotated orrotatable when the gripping assembly is in the open position, the closedposition, or both. The gripping assembly may be rotatable about an axis(e.g., a rotational axis of the gripping assembly, a longitudinal axisof the gripping assembly, a longitudinal axis of the tubular member, alongitudinal axis of the blade or separate electrode member, or acombination thereof). The gripping assembly may be moved (i.e.,laterally, axially, radially, proximally, distally, longitudinally, or acombination thereof) when the gripping assembly is in the open position,in a closed position, or both. An electrosurgical current or therapycurrent can be selectively passed from a first jaw member to a secondjaw member (or vice versa) when tissue is located therebetween so thatthe therapy current can coagulate blood, cauterize tissue, transecttissue, or a combination thereof. A therapy current can be passed fromone or more of the jaw members to a remote electrode (e.g., a returnpad) while tissue is located between the jaw members so that the therapycurrent can coagulate blood, cauterize tissue, transect tissue, or acombination thereof. The gripping assembly may be generally comprised oftwo or more opposing jaw members.

The two or more opposing jaw members may function to create a grippingforce. The two or more opposing jaw members may move or pivot towardseach other to create a gripping force to grip a feature of interest; tocut, coagulate, cauterize, or transect a feature of interest; or acombination thereof. The two or more opposing jaw members may move awayfrom each other to release a gripping force; release a previouslygripped feature of interest; or both. The two or more opposing jaws maybe any device(s) that may be used to grip or clamp an item of interestfor coagulating, cauterizing, sealing, cutting, transecting, or acombination thereof. The two or more opposing jaws may be anystructure(s) or member(s) that may allow for one jaw to be static andone jaw to be movable; for both jaws to be moveable; or any combinationthereof. One or both of the jaws may include a pivot axis so that one orboth of the opposing jaws can move or pivot about the pivot axis toperform a gripping function and grip or hold an item of interest withoutdamaging the item of interest. That is, one jaw member may pivot towardsanother jaw member that is static or non-pivoting to perform a grippingfunction. Alternatively, both jaws may pivot towards one another toperform a gripping function. One or both of the jaws may include a pivotaxis so that one or both of the opposing jaws can move or pivot aboutthe pivot axis to perform a releasing function to release a gripped itemor feature of interest. That is, one jaw member may pivot away fromanother jaw member that is static or non-pivoting. Alternatively, bothjaws may pivot way from one another. The two opposing jaws may be biasedfrom an open position to a closed position by retracting one of the oneor more jaw members into the tubular member; moving one or more tubularmembers towards a distal end of the jaw members; or both. The jawmembers may include a ramped surface, a raised surface, one or morearcuate sections, or a combination thereof that are sufficiently largeso that the arcuate sections do not fit within the tubular member.Preferably, at least a portion of the laterally extending arcuatesections are wider than an opening of the tubular member so that axialmovement of the tubular member, the jaws, or both bias the two opposingjaws to close the two opposing jaws, create a gripping force, or both.The one or more jaws may be free of one or more arcuate segments. Thetwo or more opposing jaws may be made of a material that is at leastpartially flexible, resilient, rigid, stainless, plastically deformable,or a combination thereof. The two or more opposing jaws may be made of amaterial that conducts electricity. The two or more opposing jaws mayapply electricity, current, a therapy current, or a combination thereofto a feature of interest that is gripped, placed, held, and/or locatedbetween the two or more opposing, jaws. That is, a therapy current canbe selectively passed from a first jaw member to a second jaw member (orvice versa) when tissue is located therebetween so that the therapycurrent can coagulate blood, cauterize tissue, transect tissue, or acombination thereof. A therapy current can be passed from one or more ofthe jaw members to a remote electrode (e.g., a return pad) while tissueis located between the jaw members so that the therapy current cancoagulate blood, cauterize tissue, transect tissue, or a combinationthereof. The two or more opposing jaws may be electrically isolated fromone another so that bipolar electrosurgical energy can be effectivelytransferred through the tissue or vessel gripped between the jaw membersto seal or coagulate the tissue or vessel. The two or more opposing jawsmay be automatically switched to function as electrosurgical forcepsonce the jaws are in a closed position. A user may manually select thetwo or more opposing jaws to function as electrosurgical forceps beforethe jaws are in a closed or clamped position (i.e., when the jaws are inan open position), or after the jaws are in the closed position. The twoor more opposing jaw members may include a gripping surface or grippingportion for gripping an item of interest. The gripping portion of thetwo or more opposing jaws may have a surface texture to grip a featureof interest. For instance, the surface texture may be at least partiallysmooth, flat, contoured, serrated, textured, horizontal, vertical,planar, canted, rolling, irregular, or a combination thereof. The one ormore jaws may include one or more ridges, mouse teeth, gaps, openings,of a combination thereof. The two or more opposing jaws may each begenerally U-shaped, C-shaped, S-shaped, may be linearly shaped,irregularly shaped, rounded, the like, or a combination thereof. One orboth of the jaw members may include one or more openings.

The one or more openings in the one or more jaw members may function sothat one or more operable mechanisms, blades, separate blade electrodes,or a combination thereof can extend beyond the gripping assembly, or beextended beyond the gripping assembly. The one or more openings mayfunction so that or more operable mechanisms, blades, separate bladeelectrodes, or a combination thereof can be moved to extend past adistal end of the gripping assembly while the gripping assembly is in anopen position, a closed or clamped position, or both. The one or moreopenings may function so that or more operable mechanisms, blades,separate blade electrodes, or a combination thereof can remain extendedbeyond a distal end of the gripping assembly in a steady state positionregardless if the gripping assembly is in an open position, a closedposition, or both. The one or more openings may provide for the one ormore blades, separate blade electrodes, or both to be retracted into thegripping assembly when the gripping assembly is in an open or closedposition so that the blade, separate blade electrode, or both do notprotrude or extend beyond a distal end of the griping assembly. The oneor more openings may be dimensioned so that or more operable mechanisms,blades, separate blade electrodes, or a combination thereof can be movedthere through, rotated therein, or a combination thereof without movingor repositioning the gripping assembly. The one or more openings may bea gap, a notch, a cutout, a recess, an aperture, an orifice, or acombination thereof. The one or more openings may be located at a distalend of the gripping assembly. The one or more openings may be located inan upper surface, a lower surface, or on any surface of the grippingassembly so that the aforementioned functions can be performed. One orboth of the jaw members may include one or more blade tracks.

The one or more blade tracks may be any shape and size so that a blade,a functional element, a surgical instrument, a separate blade electrode,or a combination thereof can move or extend between the jaw members. Theone or more blade tracks may provide for a blade, a separate bladeelectrode, or both to move to cut, transect, cauterize, and/or coagulatea vessel or tissue grasped between the opposing jaw members. The one ormore blades, separate blade electrodes, or both may be located and movewithin the same blade track; may be located and move in separate bladetracks; or a combination thereof. The one or more bade tracks mayprovide for a blade, a separate blade electrode, or both to bepositioned, actuated, extended, retracted, reciprocated, moved, rotated,or a combination thereof relative to the gripping assembly while thegripping assembly is in a closed position, an open position, or both.The one or more blade tracks may provide for one or more of the blades,blade electrodes, or both to extend beyond a distal end of the grippingassembly in a steady state condition, regardless if the grippingassembly is in an open position or a closed position. The one or moreblade tracks may be generally parallel to one another, may extend in anon-parallel relationship, or a combination of both. A portion of theone or more blade tracks may be located in or extend in the first orupper jaw member. A second complementary portion of the one or moreblade tracks may be located in or extend in the opposing jaw member. Theone or more blade tracks may be located entirely in one or both of thejaw members. The one or more blade tracks may be configured as one ormore straight slots with no degree of curvature, or, may be dimensionedto include some curvature. The one or more blade tracks may beirregularly shaped, curved, straight, linear, angled, drafted, or acombination thereof. The one or more blade tracks may complement thegeneral shape of the one or more blades, separate electrode members, orboth. The one or more blade tracks may be one or more notches, grooves,channels, troughs, recesses, the like, or a combination thereof. The oneor more blade tracks may be electrically isolated from the one or moreblades, separate blade electrodes, jaw members, or a combinationthereof.

The one or more blades may function to cut, transect, cauterize,coagulate, or a combination thereof a feature or area of interest. Theone or more blades may be any cutting tool, blade, electrode, bladeelectrode, scalpel, knife, and/or separate member that may be used in orused during a medical or surgical procedure. The one or more blades maybe any cutting device that may be extended and retracted through the oneor more tubular members, the gripping assembly, one or more openings inthe gripping assembly, the blade track, or a combination thereof. Theone or more blades may be in sliding communication with the one or moreblade tracks. The one or more blades may be selectively reciprocated tocut a feature of interest located, gripped, or placed between the jawmembers. The one or more blades may be made of any material that may besharpened; is strong enough to cut tissue, veins, arteries, ananatomical feature, a feature of interest, or a combination thereof; isbiocompatible; may conduct electricity; or a combination thereof. Theone or more blades, the distal end of the one or more blades, or both,may conduct energy so that the one or more blades, the distal end, orboth can be used as a blade electrode. The distal end of the one or moreblades may be sharp for cutting an object, item, or feature of interestwith or without power. The distal end of the one or more blades may bedull or not sharp, which may be preferred in some applications toprevent unintentional cutting and/or transecting of an item or featureduring handling and/or manipulation of the medical instrument. This maybe especially preferred in electrosurgical configurations where thecutting or transecting of the item or feature of interest is performedwith a therapy current. The distal end of the one or more blades may becurved, linear, angled, or irregularly shaped. For example, the distalend of the blade may be canted or slanted proximally or distally. Theone or more blades may be any shape that may generally fit inside theinner or hollow portion of the tubular member and may extend into thegap formed between the two opposing jaw members, a gap formed at thedistal end of the gripping assembly, the opposing jaw members, or acombination thereof. The one or more blades may be sufficiently small sothat they may be housed within the tubular member. The one or moreblades may rotate, or may be rotatable about a blade axis, alongitudinal axis, a jaw axis, a tubular axis, a forceps axis, aseparate blade electrode axis, or a combination thereof. The one or moreblades may be rotated while the gripping assembly is in a closedposition, an open position, or a position therebetween. The one or moreblades may be rotated while the blade is being advanced and/orretracted. Preferably, the one or more blades may be static (i.e.,non-rotatable) while in motion. The one or more blades may be static ornon-rotatable and the notched or receiving region may face the first orupper jaw member. The one or more blades may be static or non-rotatableand the notched or receiving region may face the second or lower jawmember. The one or more blades may be static or non-rotatable and thenotched or receiving region may face a region or direction between thefirst or upper jaw member and the second or lower jaw. The one or moreblades may be rotated so that a notched or receiving region faces afirst or upper jaw member, faces a second or lower jaw member, or facesa position between the first and second jaw member. The one or moreblades may be rotated so that an upper edge of the notched or receivingregion faces one of the jaw members, or faces a direction between thejaw members. The one or more blades may be extended into and/orretracted from the opening, gap, or track farmed between the twoopposing jaw members. The one or more blades, the distal end of the oneor more blades, or both may extend beyond a distal end of the forceps,the gripping assembly, the jaw members, or a combination thereof whenthe one or more blades are in a steady state, or in a non-cuttingposition. The one or more blades, the distal end of the one or moreblades or both may permanently extend beyond a distal end of thegripping assembly. The one or more separate blade electrodes maypermanently extend beyond a distal end of the forceps, the grippingassembly, the jaw members, or a combination thereof and restricted frommoving relative to the gripping assembly, jaw members, one or more otherblades, or a combination thereof. The one or more blades, distal end(s)of the one or more blades, or both may be moved so that a distal end ofthe one or more blades extends distally from the medical forceps, thegripping assembly, or both when the cutting assembly is in a cuttingposition, a non-cutting position, or in a position therebetween. The oneor more blades may be coupled directly to a mechanism such as a cuttingtrigger, a rotation wheel, a gripping trigger or a combination thereof.The one or more blades may be coupled to one or more of theaforementioned mechanisms via one or more support rods, cammingsections, or both so that a user can move the one or more cuttingblades. The one or more blades may be elongated members that extendalong a blade longitudinal axis, a blade track axis, a tubular memberaxis, or a combination thereof. The one or more blades may be anylength. The one or more cutting blades may include one or more notchedsections.

The one or more notched sections may function to cut a feature ofinterest (e.g., tissue, veins, arteries, an anatomical feature, or acombination thereof). The one or more notched sections may function tocut a feature of interest while the gripping assembly is in a closedposition, an open position or both. The one or more notched sections mayfunction to cut or transect tissue or a vessel after coagulating orsealing the tissue or vessel without having to reposition the forceps,the gripping assembly, the jaw members, or a combination thereof. Inother words, the tissue or vessel can be cut or transected withouthaving to open, re-grip, or re-configure the vessel or tissue aftergripping with the gripping assembly or between the jaw members. The oneor more notched sections may function to receive one or more features ofinterest. The one or more notched sections may be or may include one ormore recessed sections, slotted sections, open sections, angledsections, or a combination thereof. The one or more notched sections maybe generally rectangular-shaped, square-shaped, oval-shaped, irregularlyshaped, or a combination thereof. The one or more notched sections mayinclude one or more edges. The one or more notched sections may includeone or more proximal edges, distal edges, upper edges, or a combinationthereof. It is understood that the upper edge may be a lower edgedepending on the orientation of the blade and the frame of referenceselected. Likewise, the proximal edge may be the distal edge dependingon the orientation of the blade and the frame of reference selected. Theone or more edges may be sharp so that an item or feature of interestcan be cut or transected with the one or more sharp edges. The item orfeature of interest can be cut with the one or more sharp edges with orwithout applying power or a therapy current. One or more of the edgesmay be blunt. That is, one or more of the edges may be dull or notsharp, which may be preferred in some applications to preventunintentional cutting and/or transecting of an item or feature duringhandling and/or manipulation of the medical instrument. This may beespecially preferred in electrosurgical configurations where the cuttingor transecting of the item or feature of interest is performed with atherapy current. The one or more proximal edges, distal edges, and/orupper edges can be used to cut a feature of interest when the blade ismoved, rotated, extended, retracted, or a combination thereof. The oneor more distal edges and/or upper edges may cut a feature of interestwhen the blade is moved proximally relative to a distal end of thegripping assembly. The one or more proximal edges and/or upper edges maycut a feature of interest when the blade is moved distally relative to adistal end of the gripping assembly. The one or more proximal edgesdistal edges, and/or upper edges may be generally straight, curved,arcuate, irregular, or a combination thereof. The proximal edge, thedistal edge, or both, may extend generally perpendicular relative to alongitudinal axis of the blade and/or relative to a longitudinal axisalong which the blade moves. The proximal edge, the distal edge or bothmay be generally canted or slanted relative to the longitudinal axis.One of the proximal edge and the distal edge may be generally canted orslanted relative to the longitudinal axis, while the other of theproximal edge and the distal edge may be generally perpendicularrelative to the longitudinal axis. The proximal edge and/or the distaledge may be canted proximally or canted distally relative to a distalend of the blade or relative to the handle of the device. The upper edgemay extend generally parallel to the longitudinal axis, or the upperedge may extend at a cant or slant proximally or distally relative tothe longitudinal axis and the distal end of the blade or the handle ofthe device. The one or more notched sections may define a receivingregion for receiving tissue or a vessel. The one or more notchedsections may allow for a vessel or tissue to be gripped with thegripping surfaces without interfering with the blade. That is, therecessed section may clear the one or more jaw members when the grippingassembly is in the gripping position. In other words, the upper edge ofthe notched section may be located within one of the jaws so that theupper edge does not contact the vessel or tissue when gripped and thegripping assembly is in a closed or clamped position. The upper edge ofthe notched section may contact the vessel or tissue when gripped andthe gripping assembly is in a closed position. The blade may be rotatedindependently of the gripping assembly so that the one or more proximaledges distal edges, and/or upper edges faces the upper jaw member, thelower jaw member, or face a position therebetween so that a surgeon cancut or transect tissue with the notched section facing upwardly,downwardly, or in a position therebetween. The one or more notchedsections may define one or more receiving regions. The one or morereceiving regions may function to receive one or more feature or itemsof interest. The one or more receiving regions may be dimensioned sothat an item or feature of interest can be placed or received thereinwithout contacting the one or more proximal edges distal edges, and/orupper edges when the gripping assembly is in a closed or clampedposition, an open or receiving position, or both. The one or more bladesmay include one or more separate blade electrodes.

The one or more separate blade electrodes may function to coagulate,cauterize, cut, transect, or a combination thereof an item or feature ofinterest. The one or more separate blade electrodes may be in slidingcommunication with the one or more blade tracks. The one or moreseparate blade electrodes may be selectively reciprocated to extendbeyond a distal end of the gripping assembly to cut, coagulate,cauterize, or a combination thereof a feature of interest. The one ormore separate blade electrodes may be made of any material that may besharpened; is biocompatible; may conduct electricity; or a combinationthereof. The one or more separate blade electrodes may be any shape thatmay generally fit inside the inner or hollow portion of the tubularmember and may extend into the gap formed between the two opposing jawmembers, a gap formed at the distal end of the gripping assembly, theopposing jaw members, or a combination thereof. The one or more separateblade electrodes may rotate, or may be rotatable about a blade axis, alongitudinal axis, a jaw axis, a tubular axis, a forceps axis, aseparate blade electrode axis, or a combination thereof. The one or moreseparate blade electrodes may be moved or rotated while the grippingassembly is in a closed or clamping position, an open position, or both.The one or more separate blade electrodes may be extended into and/orretracted from the opening, gap, or track formed between the twoopposing jaw members. The one or more separate blade electrodes mayextend beyond a distal end of the forceps, the gripping assembly, thejaw members, or a combination thereof in a steady state position. Theone or more separate blade electrodes may extend beyond a distal end ofthe forceps, the gripping assembly, the jaw members, or a combinationthereof in a steady state position and may be retracted or movedproximally into the gripping assembly. The one or more separate bladeelectrodes may permanently extend beyond a distal end of the forceps,the gripping assembly, the jaw members, or a combination thereof. Theone or more separate blade electrodes may be moved so that a distal endof the one or more separate blade electrodes extends distally from themedical forceps, the gripping assembly, or both. The one or moreseparate blade electrodes may be coupled directly to a cutting trigger,a rotation wheel, a gripping trigger or a combination thereof, or may becoupled thereto via one or more support rods, camming sections, or bothso that a user can move the one or more separate blade electrodes. Theone or more separate blade electrodes may extend along a longitudinalaxis. The one or more separate blade electrodes may be any length. Theone or more separate blade electrodes may include a distal end that issharp; may include one or more notched sections including a proximaledge, a distal edge, and an upper edge, one or more of which may besharp; or a combination thereof. The one or more separate bladeelectrodes may be configured to cut and/or transect a vessel or tissue.One or more therapeutic currents may be supplied to the one or moreseparate blade electrodes so that the separate blade electrode(s) canfunction as an electrosurgical blade, a blade electrode, or both. One ormore therapeutic currents may be supplied to the one or more separateblade electrodes so that a distal end of the separate blade electrode(s)can function as a blade electrode when the blade extends beyond a distalend of the gripping assembly. The one or more separate blade electrodesmay be automatically switched to function as a blade electrode once adistal end of the separate blade electrode is extended beyond a distalend of the gripping assembly. A user may select the one or more separateblade electrodes to function as an electrode member once a distal end ofthe blade extends beyond a distal end of the gripping assembly. The oneor more separate blade electrodes can be activated as a monopolarelectrode before the separate blade electrodes is advanced past a distalend of the gripping assembly, while the blade is advanced, or after theblade is advanced. The one or more separate blade electrodes may beelectrically isolated from the jaw members, the blade, the cuttingassembly, or a combination thereof so that as the one or more separateblade electrodes move, or the one jaw member(s) move, the one or moreseparate blade electrodes, jaw members, and blades are not in contact.

One or more therapeutic currents may be supplied to the one or moreblades, the one or more separate blade electrodes, or both so that theblade(s), the separate blade electrode(s) can function as anelectrosurgical blade, a blade electrode, or both. One or moretherapeutic currents may be supplied to the one or more blades, the oneor more separate blade electrodes, or both so that a distal end of theblade, separate blade electrode, or both can function as a bladeelectrode when extended beyond a distal end of the gripping assembly. Inthis regard, the blade, the separate blade electrode, or both mayfunction as a combination cutting device and electrode member. The oneor more blades, the one or more separate blade electrodes, or both, maybe automatically switched to function as a blade electrode once a distalend of the blade is extended beyond a distal end of the grippingassembly. A user may select the one or more blades, the one or moreseparate blade electrodes, or both to function as an electrode memberonce a distal end of the blade extends beyond a distal end of thegripping assembly. The one or more blades, the one or more separateblade electrodes, or both can be activated as a monopolar electrode orblade before the blade is advanced past a distal end of the grippingassembly, while the blade is advanced, or after the blade is advanced.One or more therapeutic currents may be supplied to the one or moreblades, the one or more separate blade electrodes, or both so that theblade can function as a monopolar blade, a bipolar blade, or both. Theone or more blades, the one or more separate blade electrodes, or bothmay be electrically isolated from the jaw members so that when the oneor more blades move, or the one jaw member(s) move, the one or moreblades and the jaw members are restricted or prevented from contacting.

FIG. 1 illustrates a portion of the forceps 10. The forceps 10 can beconnected to a source of electrosurgical energy (i.e., a generator; notshown) so that the forceps 10 function as electrosurgical forceps. Theforceps 10 includes a gripping assembly 12 with a first jaw member 14and art opposing second jaw member 16. As perhaps best understood byreferring to both FIGS. 1 and. 4, each jaw member 14, 16 includes arespective griping portion 18, 20 for gripping and coagulating a vesselor tissue 22 therebetween. Moreover, each jaw member 14, 16 includes anopening 48 at a distal end 46 thereof so that the blade 26 can extend orbe extended there through. The blade 26 is located in a blade track 24that runs between the jaw members 14, 16. While not specificallyillustrated, it is understood that the forceps 10 also includes one ormore mechanisms for actuating or moving one or both of the jaw members14, 16 between an open position (FIG. 4) and a closed or damped position(FIGS. 1 and 3). It is further understood that one or more mechanismscan be provided for actuating or moving the blade 26 between a retractedposition (FIG. 1) and an extended position (FIG. 3).

FIG. 2A illustrates the blade 26. The blade 26 extends along alongitudinal axis 28 and includes a notched section 30 and a distal end32. The notched section 30 includes a proximal edge 34, a distal edge36, and an upper edge 38. One or more of the edges 34, 36, 38 define areceiving region 40. The edges 34, 36 extend generally perpendicular tothe longitudinal axis 28.

FIGS. 2B, 2C, and 2D illustrate a portion of the blade 26 and thenotched section 30 and receiving region 40. In FIG. 2B, the proximaledge 34 is distally canted relative to the axis 28 and the distal end ofthe blade 26, and the distal edge 36 is proximally canted relative tothe axis 28 and the distal end of the blade 26. In FIG. 2C, the proximaledge 34 is proximally canted relative to the axis 28 and the distal endof the blade 26, and the distal edge 36 is distally canted relative tothe axis 28 and the distal end of the blade 26. In FIG. 2D, the proximaledge 34 is proximally canted relative to the axis 28 and the distal endof the blade 26, and the distal edge 36 is proximally canted relative tothe axis 28 and the distal end of the blade 26.

FIG. 3 further illustrates portion of the forceps 10p The vessel ortissue 22 can be located between the jaw members 14, 16 and in thereceiving region 40 of the blade 26 so that when the forceps 10 are inthe closed or clamped position, the vessel or tissue 22 can becoagulated. Then, without having to reposition the forceps 10, while theforceps 10 are in the closed or clamped position, the blade 26 can bemoved to cut or transect the vessel or tissue 22. That is, one or moreof the edges 34, 36, 38 are sharp so that when the blade 26 is moved ina first direction 42, the vessel or tissue 22 can be transected with atleast the proximal edge 34 of the notched section 30. When the blade 26is moved in a second direction 44, the vessel or tissue 22 can betransected with at least the distal edge 36 of the notched section 30.The blade 26 can function as a blade electrode. FIG. 4 furtherillustrates a portion of the forceps 10. The blade 26 is rotatable(e.g., clockwise, counter-clockwise, or both) within the blade track 24so that in a first rotated position, the notched section 30 (e.g., theupper edge 38) generally faces towards first jaw member 14. In a secondrotated position, the notched section 30 (e.g., the upper edge 38)generally faces the second jaw member 16. The blade 26 is also rotatableto a position between the first and second rotated positions so that thenotched section 30 (e.g., the upper edge 38) generally faces a positionbetween the first jaw member 14 and the second jaw member 16.

With reference to the FIGS. 1-5D, a method using the forceps 10 isillustrated. One or both of the jaw members 14, 16 may be connected to asource of electrosurgical energy (i.e., a generator; not shown). Adoctor or surgeon can adjust the position of the blade 26 and thenotched section 30 by rotating the blade 26 so that the upper edge 38faces the first jaw member 14, the second jaw member 16, or faces aposition between the jaws 14, 16. A tissue or vessel 22 may be graspedbetween the first and second jaw members 14, 16. The first jaw member 14can be closed about the tissue or vessel 22 onto the second jaw member16 (FIGS. 1 and 5B). It is understood that in other configurations, thesecond jaw member 16 can be closed onto the first jaw member 14, or bothjaw members 14, 16 can be moved towards one another into a closedposition. The forceps 10 may be activated to treat or coagulate thevessel or tissue 22 in a monopolar or bipolar configuration with asuitable therapy current from an energy source. However, it isunderstood that the vessel or tissue 22 need not be treated with amonopolar or bipolar energy. That is, the tissue or vessel 22 may begrasped between the first and second jaw members 14, 16 withoutactivating or passing any energy or current to or through the tissue orvessel 22. With the jaws 14, 16 are in a closed position, the blade 26can be moved so that the vessel or tissue 22 can be cut or transectedwith the notched section 30, without repositioning or moving the jawmembers 14, 16. That is, the blade 26 can be moved distally in the firstdirection 42 (FIG. 5C) so that the vessel or tissue 22 is cut with atleast the proximal edge 34 of the notched section 30, or the blade 26can be moved proximally in the second direction 44 (FIG. 5D) so that thevessel or tissue 22 is cut or transected with at least the distal edge36 of the notched section 30. In other configurations, one or both ofthe edges 34, 36 may be blunt or dull, and the cutting or trisection mayoccur with the therapy current that is provided to the blade 26. Thatis, when the blade 26 is moved in one of the directions 42, 44 and thecorresponding edge 34, 36 contacts the tissue or vessel 22, the therapycurrent provided to the blade 26 may perform the cut.

In another configuration, the blade 26 or a separate blade member canextend beyond a distal end 46 of the forceps 10. Accordingly, the blade26 or a separate blade member can be used as an electrode blade. Whenthe blade 26 or a separate blade member is selected as an electrodeblade, the first and second, jaw members 14, 16 may be electricallydeactivated.

Any numerical values recited herein include all values from the lowervalue to the upper value in increments of one unit provided that thereis a separation of at least 2 units between any lower value and anyhigher. As an example, if it is stated that the amount of a component ora value of a process variable such as, for example, temperature,pressure, time and the like is, for example, from 1 to 90, preferablyfrom 20 to 80, more preferably from 30 to 70, it is intended that valuessuch as 15 to 85, 22 to 68, 43 to 51, 30 to 32 etc. are expresslyenumerated in this specification. For values which are less than one,one unit is considered to be 0.0001, 0.001, 0.01 or 0.1 as appropriate.These are only examples of what is specifically intended and allpossible combinations of numerical values between the lowest value andthe highest value enumerated are to be considered to be expressly statedin this application in a similar manner.

Unless otherwise stated, all ranges include both endpoints and allnumbers between the endpoints. The use of “about” or “approximately” inconnection with a range applies to both ends of the range. Thus, “about20 to 30” is intended to cover “about 20 to about 30”, inclusive of atleast the specified endpoints.

LISTING OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

10 forceps

12 gripping assembly

14 first jaw member

16 second jaw member

18 gripping portion (first jaw member 14)

20 gripping portion (second jaw member 16)

22 vessel or tissue

24 blade track

26 blade

28 longitudinal axis

30 notched section

32 distal end

34 proximal edge

36 distal edge

38 upper edge

40 receiving region

42 first direction

44 second direction

46 distal end of forceps 10

48 opening at distal end 46 of forceps 10

The term “consisting essentially of” to describe a combination shallinclude the elements, ingredients, components or steps identified, andsuch other elements ingredients, components or steps that do notmaterially affect the basic and novel characteristics of thecombination. The use of the terms “comprising” or “including” todescribe combinations of elements, ingredients, components or stepsherein also contemplates embodiments that consist essentially of theelements, ingredients, components or steps. By use of the term “may”herein, it is intended that any described attributes that “may” beincluded are optional.

Plural elements, ingredients, components or steps can be provided by asingle integrated element, ingredient, component or step. Alternatively,a single integrated element, ingredient, component or step might bedivided into separate plural elements, ingredients, components or steps.The disclosure of “a” or “one” to describe an element, ingredient,component or step is not intended to foreclose additional elements,ingredients, components or steps.

The omission in the following claims of any aspect of subject matterthat is disclosed herein is not a disclaimer of such subject matter, norshould it be regarded that the inventors did not consider such subjectmatter to be part of the disclosed inventive subject matter.

1) A surgical device comprising: a. forceps including: i. a firstworking jaw, and ii. a second working jaw; and b. a blade extendingalong, a longitudinal axis and located between the first working jaw andthe second working jaw, the blade including: i. a notched section, thenotched section including a proximal edge and a distal edge, and atleast one of the proximal edge and the distal edge is both generallylinear and generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis: wherein theblade is moveable along the longitudinal axis while the tissue isgripped between the first working jaw and the second working jaw so thatthe tissue is cut with the proximal edge or the distal edge of thenotched section without repositioning the first working law, the secondworking jaw, or both, wherein the blade is a blade electrode that isconnected to a second therapy current, and wherein a distal end of theblade electrode is moveable beyond a distal-most end of the forcepts sothat the distal end of the blade electrode functions as anelectrosurgical blade. 2) The surgical device of claim 1, wherein thefirst working jaw, the second working jaw, or both is connected to afirst therapy current so that tissue gripped between the first workingjaw and the second working jaw and within the notched section can becoagulated with the first therapy current. 3) (canceled) 4) (canceled)5) The surgical device of claim 1, wherein the notched section comprisesan upper edge extending between the proximal edge and the distal edge,wherein the blade is rotatable between a first rotated position and asecond rotated position, wherein in the first rotated position, theupper edge faces either the first working jaw or the second working jaw,and in the second rotated position the upper edge faces a directionbetween the first working jaw and the second working jaw. 6) Thesurgical device of claim 4, wherein the second therapy current is amonopolar therapy current. 7) (canceled) 8) (canceled) 9) (canceled) 10)The surgical device of claim 21, wherein both of the proximal edge andthe distal edge are generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axisthat the blade moves along. 11) An electrosurgical device comprising:forceps including: i. is a first working jaw and ii. a second workingjaw; and b. a blade electrode located inside a blade track that extendsin the first working jaw, in the second working jaw, or both, so thatthe blade electrode is located in between the first working jaw and thesecond working jaw, the blade electrode including: a notched sectionhaving a proximal edge, a distal edge and a receiving regiontherebetween, wherein the first working jaw, the second working jaw, orboth are connected to a first therapy current so that during anapplication of the first therapy current, tissue located within thereceiving region and gripped between the first working jaw and thesecond working jaw is coagulated, wherein the blade electrode ismoveable so that the tissue located within the receiving region of thenotched section is cut with either the proximal edge or the distal edgewithout repositioning the forceps, and wherein the blade electrode isconnected to a second therapy current so that during an application ofthe second therapy current, the blade electrode functions as anelectrosurgical blade when at least a portion of the blade electrodeextends beyond a distal most end of the forceps. 12) The electrosurgicaldevice of claim 11, wherein the blade electrode extends along alongitudinal axis, and the proximal edge, the distal edge, or bothextend generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and wherein theblade electrode is moveable along the longitudinal axis to cut thetissue located within the receiving region of the notched section. 13)The electrosurgical device of claim 11, wherein the blade electrode ismoveable towards a proximal end of the forceps so that the tissuelocated within the receiving region of the notched section is cut withthe distal edge of the notched section, and wherein the blade electrodeis moveable towards the distal end of the forceps so that the tissuelocated within the receiving region of the notched section is cut withthe proximal edge of the notched section. 14) (canceled) 15) (canceled)16) (canceled) 17) (canceled) 18) A method, comprising: placing tissuebetween a first working jaw and a second working jaw of anelectrosurgical forceps device, a first therapy current is provided todie first working jaw, the second working jaw, or both; positioning thetissue within a receiving region of a blade member that is locatedbetween the first working jaw and the second working jaw, the blademember extending along a longitudinal axis and includes a notchedsection having a proximal edge and a distal edge with the receivingregion therebetween, at least one of the proximal edge and the distaledge is generally linear and generally perpendicular to the longitudinalaxis; gripping the tissue between the first working jaw and the secondworking jaw and coagulating the tissue therebetween; and moving theblade member while the tissue is gripped without repositioning theelectrosurgical forceps device so that the tissue is transected witheither the proximal edge or the distal edge of the notched section. 19)The method of claim 18, wherein the method includes a step of: providinga second therapy current to the blade member so that the blade membercan function as a electrosurgical blade, wherein the first therapycurrent is a bipolar therapy current and the second therapy current is amonopolar current. 20) The method of claim 18, wherein the methodincludes steps of: moving the blade member along the longitudinal axisso that a distal end of the blade member extends beyond a distal mostend of the electrosurgical forceps device so that the blade member canfunction as the electrosurgical blade. 21) The surgical device of claim1, wherein the distal end of the blade electrode is dull. 22) Thesurgical device of claim 1, the blade is moveable in a distal directionalong the longitudinal axis while the tissue is gripped between thefirst working jaw and the second working jaw so that the tissue is cutwith the proximal edge without repositioning the first working jaw, thesecond working jaw, or both; and wherein the blade is moveable in aproximal direction along the longitudinal axis while the tissue isgripped between the first working jaw and the second working jaw so thatthe tissue is cut with the distal edge without repositioning the firstworking jaw, the second working jaw, or both. 23) The surgical device ofclaim 1, wherein the blade electrode is located inside a blade trackthat extends in the first working jaw, or the second working jaw, orboth, so that the blade electrode is located in the first working jawand the second working jaw. 24) The electrosurgical device of claim 11,wherein the distal edge faces the proximal edge, and the distal edge isspaced apart in a distal direction from the proximal edge along thelongitudinal axis.) 25) The electrosurgical device of claim 11, whereinone or both of the proximal edge and the distal edge are canted relativeto the longitudinal axis. 26) The electrosurgical device of claim 11,wherein one or both of the proximal edge and the distal edge areperpendicular to the longitudinal axis. 27) The electrosurgical deviceof claim 11, wherein the proximal edge and the distal edge are generallyparallel to each other. 25) The electrosurgical device of claim 25,wherein the proximal edge and the distal edge are generally parallel toeach other. 29) The electrosurgical device of claim 11, wherein both ofthe proximal edge and the distal edge are canted relative to thelongitudinal axis.